One of my best friends was a fashion model. She was a 6 foot statuesque beauty and LOVED short men... As she put it "WICKED SHORT". We are talking 5'.
Me, I am 5'3 1/2" and though my ex was 5'9" (He was always self-conscious about it, but I don't know why. I never made an issue about it even though my preference is tall men.) I admit, it do prefer a very tall man... also one that has broad shoulders. This doesn't mean that I won't date a man that is shorter. All this means is that I prefer a very tall, wide man, also one that is on the muscular side. Similar to my preference for a man with grey hair. I LOVE a man with greying hair!!!
I don't like skinny or soft!!! BLECH!
I am being brutally honest, if all other things are equal, I will choose the taller man. It is just because I like to feel very small and protected. I like to feel like I could disappear in his arms.
This wasn't so "important" to me as when I was less muscular. I think that the fact that I am a physically stronger female has only accentuated my need to feel weak in some aspects when I am with a man.
I just like to feel "safe" and like a small girl when I am with my lover... I guess because I spend so much of my time protecting and defending my children and being strong for them, that when it is my time, I want to feel like I can be weak and vulnerable.